The Most Surprising (Yet) Common Causes of Death [All 50 States + DC]
Heart diseases were the leader in the most common causes of death in 2017, with over 600,000 people killed. Cancer was the second-leading common cause of death in 2017, with roughly 600,000 people killed. Age-adjusted deaths were lower in the Southeast, meaning people in that region are dying younger than in other states.
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Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with Title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
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UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
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UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident life insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one life insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our life insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Advances in medicine and technology have led to decades of rising life expectancy in the U.S. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy at birth in the U.S. was 78.6 years in 2017, down from 78.7 years in 2016.
What are the most common causes of death for each state and D.C. in America? This article aims to answer this question.
Though it may seem small, this notable decline marks the third consecutive year that life expectancy at birth has fallen and represents an alarming national trend.
While common physical health conditions like heart disease and cancer still claim the majority of lives in the U.S. each year and is one of the most common causes of death in elderly people, accidental deaths from overdoses and intentional deaths by suicide are largely responsible for rising mortality rates nationwide.
Despite representing a smaller percentage of total deaths compared to other major health conditions, death rates due to suicide and accidents have skyrocketed over the past two decades.
In 2017, the suicide death rate per 100,000 people was 14.5, an increase of 33 percent from the rate of 10.8 in 1999. Over the same time period, the death rate due to accidents increased from 37.2 per 100,000 to 52.2. Accidents are defined as unintentional injuries, which include alcohol and drug overdoses.
According to the CDC, 70,327 deaths in 2017 were the result of drug overdoses, with about two-thirds related to opioids. This represents a 9.6 percent increase in the age-adjusted death rate from 2016.
The states with the highest rates of drug overdose deaths are West Virginia (57.8 per 100,000), Ohio (46.3 per 100,000), Pennsylvania (44.3 per 100,000), the District of Columbia (44.0 per 100,000), and Kentucky (37.2 per 100,000).
Overall, mortality rates also vary significantly by state. There is a clear geographical cluster of high mortality rates for states along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. More specifically, eight states in the Southeast, including West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee have age-adjusted mortality rates exceeding 1,000 per 100,000 people. By contrast, the lowest mortality rates are in California and Hawaii at 734.1 and 688.2 respectively.
There is a significant relationship between high mortality rates and low median incomes among U.S. states. For example, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and West Virginia have median household incomes below $50,000 as well as mortality rates in excess of 1,000 per 100,000. California and Hawaii, which have median household incomes around $70,000, have mortality rates under 750 per 100,000.
The other major geographic trend related to mortality rates is a clear cluster of high suicide rates in Alaska and the Rocky Mountain region, which has been labeled “the suicide belt.” In 2017, the suicide rate was highest in Montana, at a rate of 29.7 deaths per 100,000 people, and lowest in Washington D.C., at 6.7 deaths per 100,000.
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In general, suicide rates are significantly lower on the East Coast and in California. Research from the CDC shows that suicide is particularly prevalent among young people and became the second-leading cause of death for Americans aged 10-34 in 2016.
The same CDC report indicates that in 2017, the suicide rate in rural counties was 1.8 times higher than the suicide rate in urban counties, a differential that had also increased since 1999.
To find out how major causes of death vary around the country, our researchers calculated the most surprising cause of death in each state, using 2017 data from the CDC WONDER Online Database. For the top 15 leading causes of death nationally, we compared each state’s age-adjusted mortality rate to the national mortality rate for that cause.
Whichever cause exceeded its respective national mortality rate by the greatest amount, was identified as the most over-indexed cause of death in that state.
The most over-indexed cause of death represents a disproportionately high death rate within the state relative to the national rate. In this article, we’ll cover the following topics, some of which in the main parts of the article and others in the frequently asked questions section:
- Leading causes of death by state
- Leading cause of death in the US in 2018
- Death statistics by cause
- US death statistics in 2019
Before we get to the state-by-state analysis, are you ready to jump in and get a life insurance quote right away? Our online quote generator will give you the best quote based on where you live and your demographic information. Just enter your ZIP code into the box above to get started.
Now, let’s get to that state-by-state analysis.
The Most Surprising Common Cause of Death in Every State
#1 – Alabama
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 20.8 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,036
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.95%
#2 – Alaska
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 27.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 200
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 4.53%
#3 – Arizona
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.1 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,327
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.30%
#4 – Arkansas
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 80.6 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 2,517
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 7.72%
#5 – California
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 15.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 5,596
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.09%
#6 – Colorado
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 21 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,181
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 3.10%
#7 – Connecticut
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 9.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 392
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.25%
#8 – Delaware
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 205
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.23%
#9 – District of Columbia
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 70.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 427
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 8.60%
#10 – Florida
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 58.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 13,059
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 6.41%
#11 – Georgia
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 18.1 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,611
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.94%
#12 – Hawaii
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Influenza and pneumonia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 35.8 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 637
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 5.59%
#13 – Idaho
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 23.7 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 392
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.80%
#14 – Illinois
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 20 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 2,565
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.34%
#15 – Indiana
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,277
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.95%
#16 – Iowa
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 55.7 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,939
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 6.35%
#17 – Kansas
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 553
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.04%
#18 – Kentucky
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 22 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 979
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.03%
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#19 – Louisiana
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 24.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,080
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.36%
#20 – Maine
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 274
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.87%
#21 – Maryland
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 14.9 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 882
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.77%
#22 – Massachusetts
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 7.7 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 581
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 0.99%
#23 – Michigan
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Diseases of heart
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 236.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 25,187
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 25.81%
#24 – Minnesota
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 14.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 783
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.76%
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#25 – Mississippi
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 551
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.71%
#26 – Missouri
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 23.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,515
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.45%
#27 – Montana
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 29.7 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 311
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 3.05%
#28 – Nebraska
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 62.9 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,224
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 7.25%
#29 – Nevada
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 21.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 627
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.54%
#30 – New Hampshire
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 265
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.12%
#31 – New Jersey
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 20 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,898
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.54%
#32 – New Mexico
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 29.3 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 605
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 3.24%
#33 – New York
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Influenza and pneumonia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 21.1 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 4,517
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.91%
#34 – North Carolina
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 20.3 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 2,040
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.19%
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#35 – North Dakota
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 10.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 86
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.34%
#36 – Ohio
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 76.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 8,971
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 7.26%
#37 – Oklahoma
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 79.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 3,035
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 7.50%
#38 – Oregon
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 19.6 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 825
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.25%
#39 – Pennsylvania
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 71.6 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 9,527
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 7.02%
#40 – Rhode Island
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 63.3 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 718
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 7.07%
#41 – South Carolina
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 17.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 884
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.79%
#42 – South Dakota
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 22.6 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 191
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.39%
#43 – Tennessee
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Influenza and pneumonia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 25.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,656
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.36%
#44 – Texas
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Septicemia
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 18.8 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 4,268
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.15%
#45 – Utah
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 23 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 663
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 3.68%
#46 – Vermont
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 18 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 112
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.86%
#47 – Virginia
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 20.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,618
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 2.36%
#48 – Washington
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 8.4 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 574
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 1.01%
#49 – West Virginia
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 102 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 1,892
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 8.13%
#50 – Wisconsin
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 62.7 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 3,746
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 7.11%
#51 – Wyoming
- Most over-indexed cause of death: Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- State age-adjusted death rate for the cause: 27.6 deaths per 100,000 people
- State total number of deaths per year for the cause: 157
- State percentage of total deaths for the cause: 3.29%
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Complete Study Results of Common Causes of Death per State
Take a look at the table below to see the complete results for every state.
| Rank | State | Most Surprising Cause of Death | Death Rate | Annual Deaths by Cause | Percentage of All Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | Septicemia | 20.8 | 1,036 | 1.95% |
| 2 | Alaska | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 27.5 | 200 | 4.53% |
| 3 | Arizona | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 19.1 | 1,327 | 2.30% |
| 4 | Arkansas | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 80.6 | 2,517 | 7.72% |
| 5 | California | Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease | 15.4 | 5,596 | 2.09% |
| 6 | Colorado | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 21 | 1,181 | 3.10% |
| 7 | Connecticut | Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids | 9.2 | 392 | 1.25% |
| 8 | Delaware | Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 19.5 | 205 | 2.23% |
| 9 | District of Columbia | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 70.2 | 427 | 8.60% |
| 10 | Florida | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 58.4 | 13,059 | 6.41% |
| 11 | Georgia | Septicemia | 18.1 | 1,611 | 1.94% |
| 12 | Hawaii | Influenza and pneumonia | 35.8 | 637 | 5.59% |
| 13 | Idaho | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 23.7 | 392 | 2.80% |
| 14 | Illinois | Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 2,565 | 2.34% |
| 15 | Indiana | Septicemia | 19.4 | 1,277 | 1.95% |
| 16 | Iowa | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 55.7 | 1,939 | 6.35% |
| 17 | Kansas | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 19.4 | 553 | 2.04% |
| 18 | Kentucky | Septicemia | 22 | 979 | 2.03% |
| 19 | Louisiana | Septicemia | 24.4 | 1,080 | 2.36% |
| 20 | Maine | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 19.5 | 274 | 1.87% |
| 21 | Maryland | Septicemia | 14.9 | 882 | 1.77% |
| 22 | Massachusetts | Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids | 7.7 | 581 | 0.99% |
| 23 | Michigan | Diseases of heart | 236.5 | 25,187 | 25.81% |
| 24 | Minnesota | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 14.2 | 783 | 1.76% |
| 25 | Mississippi | Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease | 19.2 | 551 | 1.71% |
| 26 | Missouri | Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 23.5 | 1,515 | 2.45% |
| 27 | Montana | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 29.7 | 311 | 3.05% |
| 28 | Nebraska | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 62.9 | 1,224 | 7.25% |
| 29 | Nevada | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 21.2 | 627 | 2.54% |
| 30 | New Hampshire | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 19.2 | 265 | 2.12% |
| 31 | New Jersey | Septicemia | 20 | 1,898 | 2.54% |
| 32 | New Mexico | Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis | 29.3 | 605 | 3.24% |
| 33 | New York | Influenza and pneumonia | 21.1 | 4,517 | 2.91% |
| 34 | North Carolina | Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20.3 | 2,040 | 2.19% |
| 35 | North Dakota | Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids | 10.4 | 86 | 1.34% |
| 36 | Ohio | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 76.5 | 8,971 | 7.26% |
| 37 | Oklahoma | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 79.4 | 3,035 | 7.50% |
| 38 | Oregon | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 19.6 | 825 | 2.25% |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 71.6 | 9,527 | 7.02% |
| 40 | Rhode Island | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 63.3 | 718 | 7.07% |
| 41 | South Carolina | Septicemia | 17.2 | 884 | 1.79% |
| 42 | South Dakota | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 22.6 | 191 | 2.39% |
| 43 | Tennessee | Influenza and pneumonia | 25.2 | 1,656 | 2.36% |
| 44 | Texas | Septicemia | 18.8 | 4,268 | 2.15% |
| 45 | Utah | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 23 | 663 | 3.68% |
| 46 | Vermont | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 18 | 112 | 1.86% |
| 47 | Virginia | Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20.2 | 1,618 | 2.36% |
| 48 | Washington | Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids | 8.4 | 574 | 1.01% |
| 49 | West Virginia | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 102 | 1,892 | 8.13% |
| 50 | Wisconsin | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 62.7 | 3,746 | 7.11% |
| 51 | Wyoming | Intentional self-harm (suicide) | 27.6 | 157 | 3.29% |
*The death rate is age-adjusted and for every 100,000 state residents.
Methodology: Determining the Common Causes of Death by State
The underlying cause of death data is from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER Online Database. The age-adjusted death rates shown are for 2017, using the 2017 population as the age-adjustment baseline. For the purpose of this analysis, only the top 15 leading causes of death nationally were considered.
For each state, the most over-indexed cause of death was determined by comparing the state level age-adjusted death rate for each cause to its respective national level age-adjusted rate.
The cause of death that had the largest percent difference from the national rate was reported as the most over-indexed cause of death—representing a disproportionately high death rate within the state relative to the national rate.
Median household income statistics are from the U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplements.
Now that you know about the most common cause of death in your state, are you ready to get a life insurance quote? While you may feel like that situation can never happen to you, it always helps to be prepared.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most surprising (yet) common causes of death in the United States?
While the causes of death can vary across different states, some surprising yet common causes of death in the United States include:
- Accidental drug overdoses: The opioid crisis has contributed to a significant increase in accidental drug overdoses nationwide.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Despite advancements in vehicle safety, motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of death in many states.
- Suicide: Mental health issues and suicide rates have been on the rise across the country, making it an unfortunate common cause of death.
- Homicide: In certain states, homicide rates can be higher than expected due to various factors such as gang violence or social unrest.
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contribute to a substantial number of deaths in several states.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and the causes of death can vary from year to year and by demographic factors.
Are there any specific common causes of death that vary by state?
Yes, the common causes of death can vary by state due to factors like demographics, lifestyle choices, healthcare access, and local public health priorities. It’s important to note that while certain causes of death may be more prevalent in specific states, many common causes of death are consistent across the United States as a whole.
How can these common causes of death be prevented or mitigated?
Preventing or mitigating common causes of death often involves a multi-faceted approach that includes public health initiatives, individual awareness, and access to appropriate healthcare. Some general strategies that can be helpful in addressing common causes of death include:
- Education and awareness campaigns: Increasing public awareness about the risks associated with specific causes of death can help individuals make informed choices and seek appropriate help.
- Improved access to healthcare: Ensuring access to quality healthcare services, including mental health services, can contribute to early detection, prevention, and better management of health conditions.
- Implementation of evidence-based policies: Governments can enact policies that address issues like drug abuse, traffic safety, and mental health support, creating an environment that promotes healthier choices and safer communities.
- Support systems and resources: Building strong support systems, such as community organizations and helplines, can provide assistance and resources to individuals at risk of experiencing common causes of death.
Remember, addressing common causes of death requires a collaborative effort from individuals, communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
Where can I find more information on the causes of death in specific states?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments are reliable sources of information on the causes of death in specific states. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics provides detailed data on mortality in the United States, including state-specific reports and statistics. Additionally, state health department websites often provide information on leading causes of death within their jurisdictions.
Can insurance coverage help in situations related to these common causes of death?
Insurance coverage can play a significant role in providing financial protection and support for individuals and their families in situations related to common causes of death. Here are some ways insurance coverage can be beneficial:
- Health insurance: Having health insurance can help individuals access necessary medical care, including preventive services and treatments for conditions associated with common causes of death. It can also help cover the costs of medications, hospital stays, and other healthcare services.
- Life insurance: Life insurance provides a death benefit to the policyholder’s beneficiaries upon their passing. This can help provide financial security and support to loved ones in the event of accidental death, suicide, or other causes.
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance: AD&D insurance pays a benefit if the insured individual dies or suffers certain specified injuries due to an accident. This type of coverage can offer additional protection specifically for accidental deaths, including those resulting from motor vehicle accidents or other unforeseen incidents.
- Disability insurance: Disability insurance provides income replacement if an individual becomes disabled and is unable to work due to an injury or illness. This coverage can be valuable in situations where a person’s ability to work is affected by common causes of death, such as chronic respiratory diseases or severe injuries.
- Mental health coverage: Some health insurance plans include mental health benefits, which can be beneficial in addressing and managing conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues associated with common causes of death, such as suicide.
Can insurance premiums be affected by these common causes of death?
Insurance premiums can be influenced by various factors, including common causes of death. Insurance companies assess risks when determining premiums, and if certain causes of death are more prevalent in a specific area or among certain demographics, it can impact premiums accordingly. However, it’s important to note that premiums are determined by multiple factors, including age, health status, lifestyle choices, and other individual considerations.
What was the leading cause of death in the US in 2018?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death in the United States in 2018 was heart disease, followed by cancer and unintentional injuries (like accidents). The ranking remained the same from 2017.
What is the most common cause of unnatural death?
Unintentional injuries, often in the top three categories of leading causes of death overall, are the most common cause of unnatural death, as they have no natural cause and are simply accidents that cause fatalities. Accidents tend to be one of the most common causes of death for young adults. Along those lines, suicides and homicides are two other causes of unnatural death.
What are the two major causes of death in the United States?
Heart disease and cancer are the two largest causes of death in the United States, with heart disease killing roughly 635,000 people in 2017 and cancer killing 598,000 in that same year.
What kills the most humans every year?
One of the “animals” that kills the most humans every year might be surprising to you: mosquitos. This is because mosquitos transfer and spread fatal diseases throughout communities, leading to a significant number of deaths every year. One of these diseases is malaria.
What is the number one killer in the world?
The number one killer in the world — and one that is considered “preventable death” — is heart disease. This issue has grown as populations around the world have become more obese, resulting in a number of diseases related to obesity that are in the top 10 of “killers” such as diabetes.
What is the best age to die at?
Many people believe that 75 is the perfect age to die as it is the tipping point in when a person can still contribute to society without becoming a burden. People who believe this are often those who have negative views of elderly and older-age life.
Can someone die for no reason?
The most common causes of death by age group vary. While it is very rare, a person under the age of 35 can die of a condition that generally people much older die for, such as heart disease. Some organizations put this number at 1 out of 100,000, meaning that one person under the age of 35 can die of one of these conditions out of a hundred thousand.
What’s the most common age of death?
The average life expectancy of an individual varies according to where they live. In some countries, men and women living into their mid-80s or even longer is not unexpected. However, in the United States, both men and women have a life expectancy of below 80.
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Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with Title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
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